The Nelson Mandela International Day campaign remains rooted in the call Nelson Mandela made in 2009 to honour him by working in communities rather than by celebrating his birthday. While 18 July remains a focal point for the campaign, we urge people supporting the campaign to participate in sustainable interventions with lasting impact.

The theme for 2022 is

“Do what you can, with what you have, wherever you are.”

The context, of course, is a world in which inequality continues to grow and in which the destructive impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has exposed existing disparities and damaged vulnerable communities in all kinds of ways. The call to action is as broad and as inclusive as possible – identify those in need around you and do what you can to make a difference for them.